Why is it that Moto phones apparently can't be unlocked, and these other devices, like the Fire HD, and other devices, can be unlocked by the community. For example, the Galaxy S3 was sold as a locked device, but some devs were able to unlock it, but the RAZR is still locked down tight. Why are Moto phones so hard to unlock?
Locking of the Bootloader is pretty much a Carrier demand. There is this idea in the industry that if we have free reign on our OWN devices, we will have some sort of uncanny access to their network. They are under the impression (or least tell us) that there is a genuine fear we'll be able to get into the system/network. So they lock the bootloader, but really its so they can control their product offering. They don't want you taking a Moto Razr and using it on a AT&T network for example. And keep in mind Moto isn't the only guilty party. Samsung is now locking devices. HTC locked their devices and offered no Dev support, which almost killed HTC in 2011/2012. Samsung never used to be that way, but have now cut off Dev support. HTC, Moto and Sony have changed. They finally realize that with out TSC, Bytcode, istick, XDA, Hashcode, dhacker, the list is too long to even name...but without these guys, their source of AOSP would be $#!+. How many features from an unlocked, rooted phones have made their way into source Android code...all from CM, AOKP, etc, etc, etc. Tons of the new features in 4.2.1 were standard in CM and AOKP for awhile. Google sees that and fully embraces it. They WANT us beating the crap out of that code and pushing it to the limit. And they are really pushing their phone MFR's to do the same, but they cannot control it....Until they bought Moto
For record, I don't think they fully unlocked the SIII. I believe they are using a very high up exploit to insert a Recovery like Safestrap so they can bypass the bootloader just like how we have to do now. I think they are using TWRP, but I am sure CWM is in there too. But, this has turned many, many Devs away from Samsung. HTC, Sony and Moto are fully embracing the community right now. They know that all of crackflashers and Devs are the REAL driving force behind the technology. We might be a blip when you look at the entire consumer market radar, but we are a Monster in the shadows!